Inevitably when you're seven months pregnant, maternity services are obviously something that's pretty very important to you

Yvette Cooper, Health minister

Although she highlighted services for bereaved parents and fathers, she said: "It will be for every maternity unit to decide what it is they need."

Ms Cooper denied the government was failing to tackle the key issues identified by the NCT.

"We are clear that it is about improving facilities and about more midwives and staff."

The plans being detailed by Ms Cooper are part of a �100m investment into maternity services announced by Health Secretary Alan Milburn in May.

The plan includes a pledge of 2,000 more midwives and a National Service Framework (NSF) on maternity services, due to be published in around two years time.

Maternity units are being asked to consult parents and midwives about where the money should go.

Quality

She said: "Like every pregnant woman, I want to see choice and high quality care in every corner of the country."

She highlighted a study by the English National Board for nursing, midwifery and health visiting that showed 71% of units provide one-to-one care during labour all the time.

She will say in her speech to the NCT: "Coming to terms with the loss of a longed for baby is dreadful enough.

"It is unimaginable that any woman should find themselves enduing that kind of loss, lying on a post natal ward bed where infants are crying and parents are rightly celebrating their new arrival.

"Yet that has been the experience of some of the parents who contacted us."

Each year, more than 5,000 babies are stillborn or die in the first few days after birth.

Ms Cooper will say she also wants to see facilities for fathers improved in maternity units, to allow them to stay the night if their baby is in a special care baby unit, or to visit outside normal hours.

Even something as simple as comfy chairs for them to wait in was important, she said.

Labour fears

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the NCT, said the level of care women in labour received was "clearly not good enough".

"The government promised investment and improvements to maternity services. We want those words turned into action."

But the NCT said the key issue for mothers was that too many are being left alone during labour.

A survey of almost 1,400 women via the trust's website found a third felt worried when they were left alone without experienced care.

The figure echoes the findings of a 1998 Audit Commission report, which found 68% of women were left without professional support during labour.

The NCT conference will also discuss breastfeeding, caesarean rates, the planned NSF and how better post natal care can be provided.